When sculpting a figure in a pose that will ultimately be asymmetrical and dynamic, is better to begin the sculpt in a traditional symmetrical T pose then bend and twist the figure into the pose you’re looking for or should you start the sculpt in the asymmetrical pose?
Cheers!
-----Tristan
Depends somewhat on your intended output.
For a mesh that will be exported for animation or may require multiple different poses, a T-Pose is essential.
Some artists though, with the goal of creating a single artistic piece in the manner of a traditional sculpting process, may pose a rudimentary figure into a pose, and sculpt the piece as a whole.
I was thinking high res sculpt, not for animation. I guess one would start off with a base pose, then sculpt using posable symmetry after manipulating your pose?
I wouldn’t plan on relying on poseable symmetry. It’s great within certain applications, but can easily be broken depending on what you do with the subject. For instance it would require you to keep mirror topology, denying you the use of many convenient zbrush features.
Besides, the whole point to someone choosing to pose first early on and then sculpt would be to do without “cheats” like automatic symmetry, to produce a more naturalistic and less predictable sculpt, like a traditional sculptor would produce, or for the purposes of developing skill.
If you are worried about efficiency or not confident in your ability to work without auto symmetry, there’s no reason to work without it. For static poses, the vast majority of digital artists sculpt a figure in a neutral position with symmetry to some degree, pose, and then do a pass without symmetry to refine the form and put in details. Exactly which stage they choose to do which varies by artist preference.
PERFECT! thank you so much!
Just to give you an example, Scott Eaton is an artist I frequently see pose a rudimentary figure early on, then proceed to do the bulk of the sculpting asymmetrically like a traditional sculpture. This is highly useful for developing your proportional and anatomical ability, as well as producing more “sculptorly” sculpts.
Most digital artists though, especially if in a production pipeline, are going to do quite a bit more work in symmetry mode before posing.
Oh great! Gonna sit down with a beer and watch that one tonight. Thanks again!